Head South of Myrtle Beach for a Historic Day-Trip Destination

While you are enjoying your vacation with us at Dayton House Resort in Myrtle Beach, we would like to introduce you to one of the best-kept secrets in South Carolina – historic Georgetown. Overflowing with history, personality and good old Southern charm, this Lowcountry coastal town is located about an hour south of Myrtle Beach, nearly halfway between Myrtle Beach and Charleston. Plan to spend a day there – it’s well worth the trip, and you will not regret it, we promise.

First of all, here’s a little overview of the beautiful and quaint town that you will be visiting. You will immediately notice the gorgeous live oak trees that line the town’s streets, along with historic homes dating back to the 18th century. Believe it or not, this is the third-oldest city in South Carolina. While in Georgetown, you will find plenty to do. A wealth of shopping and dining options – most locally owned – can be found along beautiful Front Street. There are also museums, history tours, waterfront shops, boating and fishing excursions, and even ghost tours.

Let’s start the day with a tour of the town. We suggest Swamp Fox Tours, which is the oldest tour company in Georgetown. Previously featured in Southern Living, this tour is easy on your feet, as you will get to relax and take a load off as you are driven around town in a blue-and-white trolley. You will learn of authentic history spanning almost 300 years. They pride themselves on their Southern hospitality, so you will be treated as family. You will tour homes, public buildings and even visit the inside of one of the historic churches in Georgetown. You may even learn a thing or two about the town’s local ghosts.

Now let’s have a little lunch. When your tour ends, you will be dropped off on Front Street. This is where you will find the Townhouse Restaurant – and if you choose to dine here, you won’t be disappointed by their atmosphere or their delicious dishes. Here, you will find a menu featuring Lowcountry and local fare. The Townhouse prides itself on its relationship with local farmers and fishermen, giving you a true farm (and sea)-to-table experience with the freshest and best ingredients available on land and sea.

Of course, the Townhouse isn’t the only place to eat in town, or on Front Street, for that matter. You will find mouthwatering offerings seemingly every few feet along this historic street. Options include Italian, fresh seafood, Lowcountry, American, a bakery, upscale casual restaurants, al fresco dining, and waterfront views. Your choices are plentiful, so make sure to walk around a bit and make the one that fits your tastes for lunch and dinner.

Now let’s move on to shopping. You are going to fall in love with the shops on Front Street. When you shop here, you are truly supporting the town and the families that live in Georgetown, as the businesses are all independently owned and operated. Some have been rebuilt after multiple floods and hurricanes. Along Front Street alone, you will find unique boutiques for both men and women that are filled with stylish clothing, shoes and accessories, hard-to-find and unusual housewares and kitchenware, and even high-end gift, furniture and lighting offerings. We believe some of the best vacation finds are purchased from an area’s local artists, plenty of whom offer their works in the stores of Georgetown.

As we mentioned, there are many other activities to enjoy here in this historic waterfront town. The Kaminski House and the Stewart-Parker House are historic homes that are open for tours, and both can be found on Front Street. The Kaminski House is open for public tours daily and is also home to many festivals and musical events. The South Carolina Maritime Museum, located right down the street, is filled with facts and items from times long past on the local waters.

Whether you are more interested in the town’s dining, fishing, boating, shopping or history, you will fall in love with Georgetown. Let the helpful Dayton House staff know if you have plans to visit the area, and we will be glad to help with any dining reservations or suggestions for area activities.

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